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Juniperus occidentalis  Hook.
Western juniper
© 2013 Michael Kauffmann
© 2013 Michael Kauffmann
© 2016 mark kircher
© 2023 Alaine Arslan
© 2018 Cynthia Powell
© 2015 Cynthia Powell
© 2020 Julie A. Kierstead
© 2013 Cynthia Powell
© 2015 Cynthia Powell
© 2015 Cynthia Powell
© 2015 Cynthia Powell
© 2016 Cynthia Powell
© 2016 Cynthia Powell
© 2019 Cynthia Powell
© 2019 Talila Golan
© 2023 Alaine Arslan
© 2023 Jamie Spielmann
© 2020 Julie A. Kierstead
© 2020 Julie A. Kierstead
© 2020 Julie A. Kierstead
© 2024 David popp
Juniperus occidentalis is a tree that is native to California, and also found elsewhere in western North America.
Siskiyou Del Norte Modoc Humboldt Shasta Lassen Trinity Plumas Tehama Butte Mendocino Glenn Sierra Yuba Lake Nevada Colusa Placer Sutter El Dorado Yolo Alpine Napa Sonoma Sacramento Mono Amador Solano Calaveras Tuolumne San Joaquin Marin Contra Costa Alameda Santa Cruz Mariposa Madera San Francisco San Mateo Merced Fresno Stanislaus Santa Clara Inyo San Benito Tulare Kings Monterey San Bernardino San Luis Obispo Kern Santa Barbara Ventura Los Angeles Riverside Orange San Diego Imperial
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Bloom Period
Genus: Juniperus
Family: Cupressaceae  
Category: gymnosperm  
PLANTS group:Gymnosperm
Jepson eFlora section: gymnosperm

Toxicity: Do not eat any part of this plant.

Communities: Yellow Pine Forest, Red Fir Forest, Lodgepole Forest, Northern Juniper Woodland

Name Status:
Accepted by JEF + PLANTS + POWO

Alternate Names:
PLANTSJuniperus californica var. siskiyouensis
JEF + PLANTSJuniperus occidentalis var. occidentalis
PLANTSSabina occidentalis
Information about  Juniperus occidentalis from other sources
Nursery availability from CNPLX
This plant is available commercially.
Jepson eFlora

USDA PLANTS Profile (JUOC)

Photos on Calflora

Photos on CalPhotos

Google Images

Photos on iNaturalist

ID Tips on PlantID.net

[Wikipedia] Common Names: Common names in English for this species include "western juniper", "sierra juniper", "western red cedar", and "yellow cedar". In the United States it is also occasionally called "pencil wood", likely for a common use.[8] In the Klamath language this tree is called q'eeLo. (link added by Mary Ann Machi)


Suggested Citation
Calflora: Information on California plants for education, research and conservation, with data contributed by public and private institutions and individuals. [web application]. 2025. The Calflora Database [a non-profit organization]. Available: https://www.calflora.org/   (Accessed: 03/28/2025).